This
is a 1914 Model, chamber dated 1917 Red Nine DWM 8" model with the 800 meter
adjustable rear sight mounted on the barrel. The Red Nine Lange
Pistole
is one of the more difficult of the Artillery models in this
pristine condition to obtain. There is minimal holster wear and the grips
show the fine diamond pattern. The springs and small parts still show the fire blue
and the strawed parts are excellent. (1280)

NOTE: Photographs taken today
with the high mega-pixel camera show more than we sometimes can see with
the human eye. Magnified close-ups show us tool marks and natural
surface conditions that one normally doesn't see in the ordinary
handling of the weapon. Photographs are
copyrighted, all rights reserved, any extraction, reproduction or
display of gun pictures without the express consent of the Phoenix
Investment Arms is strictly prohibited. Thank you for your cooperation.

This is a 9mm weapon with all the
matching parts marked in the military manner (exposed). The barrel is
200mm and it has an adjustable front site. The frame has the
stock lug and the thumb safety.
The thumb safety is marked "Gesichert" and extractor "Geladen".
The barrel is numbered and proofed to the weapon. The inside of the gun is
clean and well cared for.

The Imperial proofs are well struck and
tell the story of the gun. The barrel inside is shiny with
distinctive lands and grooves. The magazine is clean and grips match
the gun.

The Imperial proofs are well struck and
tell the story of the gun. The barrel inside is shiny with
distinctive lands and grooves. The magazine is clean and grips match
the gun.
The original intent was to issue the 8" weapon to gun boat crews but it
then became standard issue to machine gun crews and artillery units.

Acknowledging a requirement to protect the crew served weapons the
German army was in search of a shorter, more lightweight weapon than the
G98. The Luger Carbine was well known (the Kaiser hunted with
one), so the idea for a long barreled pistol with a stock was an easy
jump to make. In 1914 DWM produced a very few "artillery" models
when the decision was made for the Royal Arsenal at Erfurt to produce
the 8" Parabellum and DWM to produce the 4" version. DWM with the
greater capacity to expand in 1915 produced both the short and long
barrel versions.

There are those occasions when we
receive Lugers that are in simply beautiful condition and it makes
one very thankful of the former custodians of these fine pieces for
the care and maintenance that they provided over the years to keep
these Parabellums in the minty shape that we can enjoy today. When
this Luger finds a good home hopefully generations to come will
enjoy its craftsmanship even after surviving a war.

The serial
numbers are marked in the "military manner" meaning they are exposed on
the parts. This Luger has all matching parts. The lserial
number with a "d" suffix puts this Parabellum in the mid 1917 production.

Sometimes in examination
people think the leaf site is bent. However, when raising the site
to the full 800 meter position reveals a 7° left movement. This
design compensates for the rifling on the 200 mm barrel which gives the
bullet a twist in flight and if properly adjusted will permit a corrected
point of impact. Another example of Luger engineering.

There has never
been any official explanation or documentation of the
manufacture or order for a Red Nine Artillery Luger as its
counter-part the Red Nine Broomhandle C96. The C96 was manufactured
for the 7.63mm round and when ordered for the German military
in 9mm to match the ammunition they had on hand it appears logical
to mark the gun some way to distinguish the 9mm from the 7.63mm
versions. The military Parabellum was never manufactured or
purchased in a 7.65mm version (as commercial Lugers were
available) so there appears to be no logical explanation.

However the Red
Nine Artillery shows up in sufficient numbers to indicate that
somehow the units began branding and painting the grips to reflect
the Red Nines. Perhaps it was to distinguish the ammunition
delivery, or perhaps some units had the 7.63mm Broomhandle and the
warning was given to not attempt to load these round in the Lange
Pistole. In any case it has become a rare variation among
Luger collectors.

This 94 year old gun has been cared for by
other custodians to preserve it for us today in this pristine
condition. The inside of the gun is
clean and reflects the effort for cleaning
the past 94 years. Lugers that are stored for any period of time should
have the wooden grips at least waxed on the inside to protect contact with
the metal.

The Imperial proofs and the Imperial acceptance stamp
appears on the receiver and the barrel. Note the serial
number on the leaf sight.

It is entirely subjective to
give any Luger a rating of excellent or fine, just as it is to declare it
xx% blued or strawed. Few Lugers are out of the box new and these are
premium priced. Bluing percentages is like Beauty, in the eye of the
beholder. We strive to provide pictures
so you can judge for yourself if the gun meets your criteria.

Imperial German Machine Gun
Crew some armed with the LP08 (Lange Pistole) or Artillery model,
some with 100mm Lugers and some with the older Reich Revolver.

This is an excellent example of
the dated 1917 Artillery
in minty condition with all the basic Imperial proofs the Red Nine
carved in the stock. If you are collecting the dated artilleries then you know how
hard it is to find the Red Nine Artillery in this well preserved
condition.